LONG WAIT: Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali said there was a "desperate need" for a lift at Rooty Hill train station. Picture: Geoff Jones

While most of NSW was watching State of Origin on Wednesday night, a crowd of about 60 people was at Rooty Hill School of Arts.

There at Blacktown Council’s community forum they made their voices heard on the issues that most concern them; the proposed incinerator at Eastern Creek, poor infrastructure, parking woes and dangerous traffic.

But one issue in particular has been a sore spot for residents for decades – the lack of a lift at Rooty Hill train station.

John Sayer and Olga Galagher have been vocal campaigners for a lift at Rooty Hill for five years. Pictures: Geoff Jones

Upgrades at the station are touted in the state government’s Transport Action Plan, but have remained at the ‘planned’ stage for several months.